luvsexy4all said:

nelcp777 said:

Very well said and articulated. I would have to agree with you .

ok but he was releasing vault tracks ..as new

Right... throughout his lifetime, Prince would often re-record "saved" tracks and use them later. Even in the 80s, many songs he released has initially been recorded several years earlier. Perhaps one reason (amongst many) for not releasing as much Vault material in his lifetime is that it preserved those ideas as things he could pull from later - either as bits of a track, or even a full re-recording of an old unreleased track (like ExtraLoveable). Either way, I think it's consistent with the notion that he wanted to control release/use of the Vault during his lifetime, while once he's no longer around to continue to record and release new material, he'd want those old tracks released (at least, IMHO).

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/princes-unheard-music-inside-the-paisley-park-vault-20160517

An enjoyable read.

Rest In Peace, Prince. We will NEVER forget you. Thank you so very much.

When I saw the following episode of The View, I got an uneasy feeling. This may have been posted somewhere on here previously, but I just want to point this out. These are PRINCE'S WORDS regarding his unreleased songs in his Vault: "Someday, SOMEONE will release them - I don't know that I will get to release them." (Those words gave me the chills then - and now......) I don't know the date of this episode of The View, maybe someone can help me out here. I do know the date this was published on YouTube was Sept. 17, 2012. Watch it for yourself: "Prince on His Music The View".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_U2p4Peo6U

mailaccount63 said:

When I saw the following episode of The View, I got an uneasy feeling. This may have been posted somewhere on here previously, but I just want to point this out. These are PRINCE'S WORDS regarding his unreleased songs in his Vault: "Someday, SOMEONE will release them - I don't know that I will get to release them." (Those words gave me the chills then - and now......) I don't know the date of this episode of The View, maybe someone can help me out here. I do know the date this was published on YouTube was Sept. 17, 2012. Watch it for yourself: "Prince on His Music The View".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_U2p4Peo6U

He did several interviews along these same lines - his basic point was that, for a variety of reasons, he didn't really have the desire/interest to sort and release the Vault material during his life. From his perspective, he was going to focus on the here and now, whether that meant performing, preparing to perform, recording, or just studying about life and God. Spending months working on a "Vault" project would have wasted his precious time on Earth.

That being said, he understood that when he was no longer around, there would be someone who would revisit the Vault material and release it. I remember back in the late 90s he even cited the Hendrix family releases as the type of thing he approved of and expected might happen for himself.

At one point, said that the songs in the Vault were his "children," and he loved all his children the same, and didn't have favorites. Put another way, I don't think Prince ever recorded a song that he thought was unworthy of his legacy - he thought everything had merit. He just didn't work in an industry that allowed the music to be freed the way he would have done so in real time if he could have.

BanishedBrian said:

To get an idea of what we're potentially facing in regards to the future of Prince's vault, it's worth looking into the ongoing and sadly, increasing battles between Frank Zappa's siblings.

As most of us know, Zappa's vault is just as vast as Prince's and it's equally filled with thousands of unreleased tapes.

Now that Frank's widow is gone, their four kids are fighting over money and rights – meanwhile the unreleased tapes in their family home vault are slowly but surely deteriorating, and as Zappa's fanbase is getting older, the tapes' potential market value isn't exactly increasing either.

Frank reportedly asked his wife to sell the whole catalog (including the vault) and get out of the music business entirely after he's gone, but she's decided otherwise and to be honest, she hasn't done a great job of managing the legacy.

I wonder whether Prince's siblings should just sell the entire vault and all the rights to the catalog to a record company who'd handle everything professionally and with due respect in order to create a long line of vault releases, or they should try to hold onto everything – but if they chose the latter, I'm afraid that ugly and very lengthy legal fights between them are unavoidable...

So my view is that the world would be better off with Prince's vault being sold and handled by a dedicated and professional record company (and I do NOT necessarily mean WB but of course it's an obvious option).

I'd much rather have a long line of releases that give us everything, including demos and several takes of the same song – and the choice of selecting my own favourites – than someone making decisions on what small fraction of the vault I can hear and what will stay locked forever.

Some links for you to read about the latest developments in the arguments between Dweezil Zappa and his brother Ahmed:

recent NYTimes article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/30/business/media/whats-in-a-name-just-ask-frank-zappas-feuding-heirs.html?_r=0

Ahmed's open letter:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/ahmet-zappa/an-open-letter-to-my-brother/10153667213097309

Dweezil's response:

http://www.dweezilzappaworld.com/posts/1982286-response-to-my-brother-s-open-letter

[Edited 5/18/16 6:53am]

KaresB said:

To get an idea of what we're potentially facing in regards to the future of Prince's vault, it's worth looking into the ongoing and sadly, increasing battles between Frank Zappa's siblings.

As most of us know, Zappa's vault is just as vast as Prince's and it's equally filled with thousands of unreleased tapes.

Now that Frank's widow is gone, their four kids are fighting over money and rights – meanwhile the unreleased tapes in their family home vault are slowly but surely deteriorating, and as Zappa's fanbase is getting older, the tapes' potential market isn't exactly increasing either.

Frank reportedly asked his wife to sell the whole catalog (including the vault) and get out of the music business entirely after he's gone, but she's decided otherwise and to be honest, she hasn't done a great job of managing the legacy.

I wonder whether Prince's siblings should just sell the entire vault and all the rights to the catalog to a record company who'd handle everything professionally and with due respect in order to create a long line of vault releases, or they should try to hold onto everything – but if they chose the latter, I'm afraid that ugly and very lengthy legal fights between them are unavoidable...

So my view is that the world would be better off with Prince's vault being sold and handled by a dedicated and professional record company (and I do NOT necessarily mean WB but of course it's an obvious option).

I'd much rather have a long line of releases that give us everything, including demos and several takes of the same song – and the choice of selecting my own favourites – than someone making decisions on what small fraction of the vault I can hear and what will stay locked forever.


Some links for you to read about the latest developments in the arguments between Dweezil Zappa and his brother Ahmed:

recent NYTimes article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/30/business/media/whats-in-a-name-just-ask-frank-zappas-feuding-heirs.html?_r=0

Ahmed's open letter:
https://www.facebook.com/notes/ahmet-zappa/an-open-letter-to-my-brother/10153667213097309

Dweezil's response:

http://www.dweezilzappaworld.com/posts/1982286-response-to-my-brother-s-open-letter

[Edited 5/18/16 5:19am]

Sad state of affairs. Seems like Zappa's wife is to blame for the whole mess. Think how messy Prince's estate is going to get. The family isnt even as close as the Zappas were...

KaresB said:

Without a Will, it is going to get much worse before it starts to get any better. (warning)

[Edited 5/18/16 17:29pm]

tell sheila ,and morris and tyka and others ....they need to make sure there's 2 releases a year so he will never be forgotten into the next generation

There's too much money on the table. It will get done. I don't see this turning into a shitshow. Maybe i'm wrong, but I don't expect it.

BanishedBrian said:

NoVideo said:

There's too much money on the table. It will get done. I don't see this turning into a shitshow. Maybe i'm wrong, but I don't expect it.

I don't see The Vault turning into a shitshow either. In fact, when it happens I imagine that all the right people will be involved.

Where we fans will disagree is about content. Everyone will have their own opinions on what should be released (or what shouldn't).

My fear throughout all of this is that there won't be much of a market for "new" old Prince. The news and coverage of his death have really died down (no pun intended) and it seems like "business as usual".

Se7en said:

NoVideo said:

There's too much money on the table. It will get done. I don't see this turning into a shitshow. Maybe i'm wrong, but I don't expect it.

I don't see The Vault turning into a shitshow either. In fact, when it happens I imagine that all the right people will be involved.

Where we fans will disagree is about content. Everyone will have their own opinions on what should be released (or what shouldn't).

My fear throughout all of this is that there won't be much of a market for "new" old Prince. The news and coverage of his death have really died down (no pun intended) and it seems like "business as usual".

There isn't a huge market for Miles Davis or Frank Zappa vault releases either, yet a lot of that stuff have been released and they sold in reasonably decent numbers. These artists have fanbases that will buy practically every official, quality product.

Prince's vault even has the potential of producing a new hit or two, and if vault material is released in conjunction of a major re-release campaign of his current back-catalog, then it can make a lot of money, so I do believe there is a goldmine in there.

BanishedBrian said:

mailaccount63 said:

When I saw the following episode of The View, I got an uneasy feeling. This may have been posted somewhere on here previously, but I just want to point this out. These are PRINCE'S WORDS regarding his unreleased songs in his Vault: "Someday, SOMEONE will release them - I don't know that I will get to release them." (Those words gave me the chills then - and now......) I don't know the date of this episode of The View, maybe someone can help me out here. I do know the date this was published on YouTube was Sept. 17, 2012. Watch it for yourself: "Prince on His Music The View".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_U2p4Peo6U

He did several interviews along these same lines - his basic point was that, for a variety of reasons, he didn't really have the desire/interest to sort and release the Vault material during his life. From his perspective, he was going to focus on the here and now, whether that meant performing, preparing to perform, recording, or just studying about life and God. Spending months working on a "Vault" project would have wasted his precious time on Earth.

That being said, he understood that when he was no longer around, there would be someone who would revisit the Vault material and release it. I remember back in the late 90s he even cited the Hendrix family releases as the type of thing he approved of and expected might happen for himself.

At one point, said that the songs in the Vault were his "children," and he loved all his children the same, and didn't have favorites. Put another way, I don't think Prince ever recorded a song that he thought was unworthy of his legacy - he thought everything had merit. He just didn't work in an industry that allowed the music to be freed the way he would have done so in real time if he could have.

I know - he thought of his music as his children. And, I can't believe he didn't leave a "guardian" for those children - in a will. The news only reports that they opened one vault, but prince said he had several vaults. Why haven't they reported finding and opening the others? http://www.rollingstone.c...e-20160422

Lizzypoo said:

BanishedBrian said:

He did several interviews along these same lines - his basic point was that, for a variety of reasons, he didn't really have the desire/interest to sort and release the Vault material during his life. From his perspective, he was going to focus on the here and now, whether that meant performing, preparing to perform, recording, or just studying about life and God. Spending months working on a "Vault" project would have wasted his precious time on Earth.

That being said, he understood that when he was no longer around, there would be someone who would revisit the Vault material and release it. I remember back in the late 90s he even cited the Hendrix family releases as the type of thing he approved of and expected might happen for himself.

At one point, said that the songs in the Vault were his "children," and he loved all his children the same, and didn't have favorites. Put another way, I don't think Prince ever recorded a song that he thought was unworthy of his legacy - he thought everything had merit. He just didn't work in an industry that allowed the music to be freed the way he would have done so in real time if he could have.

I know - he thought of his music as his children. And, I can't believe he didn't leave a "guardian" for those children - in a will. The news only reports that they opened one vault, but prince said he had several vaults. Why haven't they reported finding and opening the others? http://www.rollingstone.c...e-20160422

I am in the process of moving offices right now at work. I've been in my current office since 2004. During those 12 years, I've stacked up endless amounts of various documents that I wanted to save and eventually organize. Every day for the last few years I'd come and look at those stacks and wish I could organize them, but you're too busy with day-to-day things to get around to it, and the whole thing eventually becomes overwhelming.

I would guess that the endless reels of tape in the Vault caused similar issues for Prince. He was busy preparing for new tours, teaching new bands and artists, and recording new songs. He didn't have time to sit in the Vault and spend months trying to sort through it all.

This all puts aside the fact that he may have been conflicted, as he appreciated and was proud of the work, while also being uncomforable with a lot of it, as his beliefs had changed so much since much of it was recorded.

I've believed for 20 years that Prince would eventually die with the Vault still sitting there with unorganized and rotting tapes. In fact, the only question in my mind was whether he'd affirmatively have things destroyed, or leave it there. I've never thought there was any chance that he was going to do it himself, just as I never thought there was a chance of remastered albums with bonus material coming out during his lifetime.

My point is just that if it turns out he left no instructions and it's all a big mess, we should not be surprised.

mikeallsopp said:

I heard an interview with Brent Fischer on BBC 5live Friday morning, he said that out of every 25 songs him and his father (Clare) contributed to only 1 was released. He also advised he believed the Vault may be destroyed as per Prince's wishes.

I do hope not, i belive the Vault should be used solely to produce income for the charities Prince was involved in and give the fans a complete body of work as possible to celebrate this great man.

He wanted that music released after his death. He said "I will not be releasing them. I will leave that for others to do after I am gone."

OldFriends4Sale said:

http://prince.org/msg/7/423827 New interview with Susan Rogers regarding the Vault

+

http://prince.org/msg/7/423746 Jimmy Jam wants to produce the vault

Jimmy Jam SHOULD produce the Vault.

OperatingThetan said:

Prince gave clear suggestions about the way vault releases could be managed in his recently released 2014 Rolling Stone interview. If he wanted anything destroyed he wouldn't have chosen to keep it in the vault in the first place.

EXACTLY.

OperatingThetan said:

Prince gave clear suggestions about the way vault releases could be managed in his recently released 2014 Rolling Stone interview. If he wanted anything destroyed he wouldn't have chosen to keep it in the vault in the first place.

EXACTLY.

luvsexy4all said:

they should release an album EVERY april 21 ...for EVER

yep. And every 6.7. Then we can prepare for it, and know it"s coming.

NoVideo said:

OperatingThetan said:

A team of curators, including fan input.

I disagree. Fans probably only know a small fraction of what's availble. A team of curators, perhaps, but committees like that can descend into bickering and indecision.

Sheila. W. assistance from JJ, TL AND MD.

yasetshego said:

NoVideo said:

I disagree. Fans probably only know a small fraction of what's availble. A team of curators, perhaps, but committees like that can descend into bickering and indecision.

Sheila. W. assistance from JJ, TL AND MD.

Sheila has said what's in the vault should not be released.

I vote susan Rogers & Jimmy Jam.

[Edited 5/20/16 15:14pm]

eyewishuheaven said:

yasetshego said:

Sheila. W. assistance from JJ, TL AND MD.

Sheila has said what's in the vault should not be released.

I vote susan Rogers & Jimmy Jam.

[Edited 5/20/16 15:14pm]

Susan Rogers and Jimmy Jam, with assistance from various collaborators and musicians depending on the album/era. That would be the best scenario IMHO

BanishedBrian said:

Lizzypoo said:

I know - he thought of his music as his children. And, I can't believe he didn't leave a "guardian" for those children - in a will. The news only reports that they opened one vault, but prince said he had several vaults. Why haven't they reported finding and opening the others? http://www.rollingstone.c...e-20160422

I am in the process of moving offices right now at work. I've been in my current office since 2004. During those 12 years, I've stacked up endless amounts of various documents that I wanted to save and eventually organize. Every day for the last few years I'd come and look at those stacks and wish I could organize them, but you're too busy with day-to-day things to get around to it, and the whole thing eventually becomes overwhelming.

I would guess that the endless reels of tape in the Vault caused similar issues for Prince. He was busy preparing for new tours, teaching new bands and artists, and recording new songs. He didn't have time to sit in the Vault and spend months trying to sort through it all.

This all puts aside the fact that he may have been conflicted, as he appreciated and was proud of the work, while also being uncomforable with a lot of it, as his beliefs had changed so much since much of it was recorded.

I've believed for 20 years that Prince would eventually die with the Vault still sitting there with unorganized and rotting tapes. In fact, the only question in my mind was whether he'd affirmatively have things destroyed, or leave it there. I've never thought there was any chance that he was going to do it himself, just as I never thought there was a chance of remastered albums with bonus material coming out during his lifetime.

My point is just that if it turns out he left no instructions and it's all a big mess, we should not be surprised.

Does MN recognize a holographic will? One written in Prince's own hand? If so, it may be in his office or a vault, etc. I have a will drafted either, but have drafted a holographic will in case of an emergency - so there's something for the family to go by. I read that one of Prince's former attoreys thought it was highly unlikely that he died without a will. But, if MN requires witnesses, and also requires that the Document be filed with the court -- then I guess there isn't a will -- or the court would have t.

Lizzypoo said:

Does MN recognize a holographic will?

I read that one of Prince's former attoreys thought it was highly unlikely that he died without a will.

MN requires witness signatures.

Statements I've read from former attorneys were the exact opposite, they'll be surprised if a will is found.

Rebeljuice said:

Sad state of affairs. Seems like Zappa's wife is to blame for the whole mess. Think how messy Prince's estate is going to get. The family isnt even as close as the Zappas were...

It's instructive too, in regards to the proposed/shelved/will be revived PRINCE Act folks knee-jerkingly support. According to interviews and forum threads elsewhere, Zappa's widow spent most of her remaining years and most of the estate cash running through attorneys, either suing or threatening to sue people over use of his name or likeness or for playing his music. Meanwhile, tapes rot and compositions go unreleased, unheard. A lot of fans here seem to want the Prince estate to go that same direction. Lessons should be learned from that sad state of affairs about what is important and when enough is enough.

Eileen said:

Rebeljuice said:

Sad state of affairs. Seems like Zappa's wife is to blame for the whole mess. Think how messy Prince's estate is going to get. The family isnt even as close as the Zappas were...

It's instructive too, in regards to the proposed/shelved/will be revived PRINCE Act folks knee-jerkingly support. According to interviews and forum threads elsewhere, Zappa's widow spent most of her remaining years and most of the estate cash running through attorneys, either suing or threatening to sue people over use of his name or likeness or for playing his music. Meanwhile, tapes rot and compositions go unreleased, unheard. A lot of fans here seem to want the Prince estate to go that same direction. Lessons should be learned from that sad state of affairs about what is important and when enough is enough.

I totally agree. That's exactly why I'm saying it'd be best if the vault and all rights would be sold to a record company or to another professional organisation who'd be devoted to releasing as much as possible, with appropriate care and respect.

Leaving it in the hands of heirs would greatly endanger the vault's contents and most of it would surely go unheard while the heirs and their descendants are still suing each other 50 years from now.

yasetshego said:

luvsexy4all said:

they should release an album EVERY april 21 ...for EVER

yep. And every 6.7. Then we can prepare for it, and know it"s coming.

for the next 100 years...